The Salvation Army Kroc Center

About

The Salvation Army Kroc Center at 900 W Western Ave, South Bend, IN, is a state-of-the-art multi-purpose community center. It offers a wide array of facilities including an indoor aquatic park, a fitness center, gymnasiums, a climbing wall, performing arts center, and various educational and community spaces. The center provides programs and activities for all ages, focusing on recreation, education, and spiritual development in a safe and positive environment.

The Kroc Center's aquatic facilities typically feature different temperature settings for various pools. The lap pool is generally maintained around 80-82°F (26.6-27.7°C) for recreational and fitness swimming. The warmer activity or teaching pool is usually kept at a higher temperature, often around 88-90°F (31.1-32.2°C), suitable for therapy, lessons, and younger children. Other leisure or splash areas often fall within a similar range or slightly warmer than the lap pool.

What are people saying (AI review summary)? The reviews express significant dissatisfaction, primarily due to frequently closed or unavailable amenities, especially the water slide, which is a consistent complaint across multiple visits. Other features like the rock climbing wall, kiddie area, hot tub, and deep end are also often inaccessible or have limited hours/rules, sometimes contrary to information provided before purchase. Many reviewers felt the day pass prices (ranging from $15-$40) were poor value given the restricted access and limited services. One review specifically noted an intensely negative experience with overly strict lifeguards and constant rule enforcement. While a large pool, a teen room, and a lazy river were mentioned positively, the overall sentiment is negative, with most reviewers feeling misled and recommending against the facility.

Location

Gallery

Amenities

• Accepts Credit Cards
• Accessible Entrance
• Accessible Restroom

Reviews

Listing Reviews

June 21st, 2025

Izzy Ackle

I love coming here with my friends! The pool is our favorite spot because of how large it it, though every time I've been here the past few weeks, the slide has been closed. The teen room is fine. It's a nice little place to play and chit-chat, though I wish it was open for more hours. Sa.e with the rock climbing wall, I wish it was open for more hours. Other than those things, I would recommend it! A day pass is $15, which does add up quickly, though.

June 21st, 2025

Ashton Alford

We will NOT be coming back to the pool here. We came for my daughter’s birthday and my kids were very excited. Every 2 minutes, the lifeguards blew their whistle with rules would walk up to us or other people there with something we weren’t allowed to do. No hot tub, no pictures or videos, no going in the deep end, no slide with a life vest, was told someone would be back to open the slide at 3, no one ever came so the slide was closed the whole time. Had to stay within arms reach if a child had a life vest on which is a little hard with a toddler. I felt like we were under intense watch the whole time we were there and the lifeguards were just waiting to blow their whistles and tell us we couldn’t do something. It was definitely not worth it in my opinion for $31 for 3 people. I would way rather spend my money somewhere else we could actually enjoy ourselves and not be stared at and have whistles blown every few minutes.

July 25th, 2025

Jennifer Cooks

I Was very disappointed. I called before coming about using the pool area and rock climbing. Was told with a day pass I could have access to everything. I spent almost 40$ and the rock climbing wall was not available til 4pm and we got there at noon. My son was unable to do anything cause of this. The pool area was frustrating because the slide was not open and had to bug employees to turn on water for bucket. For the amount of money I spent I was not happy with the services.staff was very polite and friendly but I feel I should have been told these things before spending money.

July 12th, 2025

Leona Flower

I came here from Plymouth and they had the slide shut down, the kiddie area wasn't running, and they wouldn't let my kids in the deep end. I paid $23 to watch my child swim in a circle... Horrible place. Do not recommend.

August 17th, 2025

Marty McDermott

Went 3 times with kids and each time the water slide was down (no attendan). Small swimming area unless you use the lanes. The "lazy river" was enjoyed most by the kids. For small swimming area not really worth the price IF all you want to do is swim. There are a ther things you can do, but I didnt